SunWork Renewable Energy Projects

Get three bids, but use these guys!
As a homeowner on any project, you can find good contractors and bad ones. This has been the gem in my experience. I used SunWork to install at 5kW system on my home. These guys are a non-​profit that utilize a paid project leader and volunteer labor to help install solar on home that otherwise wouldn’t be financially viable.
Marc Fontana was the project lead on my system and walked me through all the different options that were available on my house. Of the three bids I got, he was the only one that came out and examined the roof to do the bid. This was important in my case because I have a very small roof and wanted enough solar energy to offset my home use and my electric car usage. The entire installation process was as promised and because I volunteered to help install my system, I have a much better understanding on how to troubleshoot if needed.
The permitting and inspection process went flawlessly. Marc even taught the inspector something the day he came out to sign off!

Excellent experience. SunWork installed a seven panel 2.1 Kilowatt system on my house in Sunnyvale for thousands less than the estimates of several commercial vendors.
Bryan Noël, who oversaw the installation of my solar system, had an intelligent answer for all of my questions, was always professional and punctual in our meetings. I thought his transparency in responding to my questions was exceptional. It takes a leap of faith to trust volunteers puncturing the shingles on your roof to install solar panels. Bryan gave me the confidence that under his supervision everything would go right.
I was particularly impressed that Bryan came out to our house to sit and wait for the city building inspector to come to ensure that everything was approved. He then helped me set up the computer monitoring system and walked me through the complicated power sharing document from P.G.&E. He made every step of the way understandable and easy.
Our monthly electric bill is about $ 40, making photovoltaics more of a green choice than a big money-​saver. With SunWork I could afford to help protect the environment.
I’ve already recommended SunWork to others considering solar.

They are the best! making it all possible for my family to have this great solar system! made all possible with partnership with San Jose Conservation corps! SunWork, being the 1^st of this PILOT PROGRAM in city of SAN JOSE!!!
Which we fully support and will continue to support them for many years to come for other families both within our community and around our Greater city of San Jose to fully benefit from this GREAT PROGRAM!
Sincerely,
HUNTER FAMILY

Marc Fontana and his team of volunteers did an awesome job and got up our 16-​panel system in ONE DAY! Looks beautiful and is generating tons of electricity! Well worth the wait!

I’m very glad that I found out about SunWork. SunWork is a nonprofit that only does solar installations for customers whose electric bills are less than $ 100/​month. They use a combination of paid workers and volunteers. Two of the big solar companies refused to even give me a quote (one because I live in a townhouse, and the other because my electric bill is only $ 30/​month). Two other big solar companies gave me quotes that were much higher than SunWork’s price.
Marc Fontana of SunWork came to my house to give me a quote, then returned to lead the installation, and then returned for the inspection (which we passed). He was very nice, he answered all of my questions thoroughly, and he made sure that the system was installed properly.
My 3 kW system has been up and running for 2 weeks and is working well.

SunWork just installed a 4.68 kW system on my roof. Worked with Mike & Matt and the entire process could not have gone any smoother. I think this is a no-​brainer way to get PV (solar) installation if you meet their criteria (check their website). Yes, you purchase the system but the cost is way, way less than what you’d pay with other installers or what you pay lifetime with a lease.
Even better, the SunWork team is very professional, they’re experts and very experienced — and it showed in their work. To top it all, I had the satisfaction of helping with installing my own system and enjoy the beautiful bay and mountain views from the top of my roof!

I worked with Sunwork for a 4.1 kW system that was just installed on my home. Like others, my electric usage is low enough where it was difficult to see a PV system as money well spent (if considering only the economics of it), but the Sunwork model made it a much better equation.
Marc from Sunwork led the installation, and several trained volunteers showed up to help with the installation. I had attended a Sunwork volunteer training session as well, which taught me the basics of installation, and helped me choose a system design that worked best for me. I enjoyed helping with the installation as well and I know a lot more about my PV installation than I did a few days ago. The entire system was installed and hooked up in two days, and the City inspector liked the attention to detail that Marc provided.
Sunwork provided a lot of guidance with the City-​required PV interconnection agreement and the rebate forms that really facilitated the whole process. I’m very pleased with how this worked, and would highly recommend Sunwork.

Solar Panel (PV) installation is a no brainer 09/​17/​2014
Affordability:
PV Solar Systems are thought to be quite expensive, often taking 12 — 15 years to pay for itself. so, most people pass on the opportunity to take the plunge. That was my case, too. Solar City quoted me $ 21,000 (yikes) back in 2010 and after a 30% Federal Tax Credit (Renewable Energy Credit) their system was still $ 14,000. I concluded it would take me 14 – 15 years for such a system to be justified (since my PG&E electric bill averaged about $ 85/​month or $ 1020 annually. Solar Companies today (like Solar City and Sungevity) resort to «leasing you a system» because it appears to be less costly (on a monthly basis). What they don’t tell you (at least, proactively) is that a lease often is much more expensive than a purchase. Most Solar leases are 20 – 25 years long for at least $ 100 per month. Do the math: 25 years x $ 100 = $ 25,000 over the life of the lease. Sure, a lease offers you peace of mind and «free repairs» if something wears out, but the fact is, in a 20 year period, the only thing that will need replacement is the $ 1400 inverter, which is warranted for 10 years. The other parts of the system (the PV panels) are warranted for 25 years. Bottom line: the best way to go is a purchase.
My purchased system from
(not leased) cost $ 9900 — 30% Federal Tax Credit (Renewable Energy Credit) for a net price of $ 6930. making it possible to justify the initial cash outlay (in the form of savings) in only 6 ½ to 7 years. After that, your electrical power is largely «free». Larger systems will, of course, cost a bit more, but you would be off-​setting a larger PG&E electric bill and your savings would pay for themselves in roughly the same amount of time.
If you’d like to learn more or have additional questions, I encourage you to contact Mike at
(he’s the real expert ;-) Feel free to let Mike know that I referred you (no, I don’t work on commission ;-) but I’m sure Mike would be pleased to know that a fellow neighbor spoke highly of them).
Here is
contact information:
Mike Balma
SunWork Renewable Energy Projects
(650) 678‑2213
Hope this is helpful info.
Thanks,
Marshall
Sunnyvale, CA